A new delight from OriginArts; John Bishop/Jeff Johnson/Rick Mandyck/John Stowell and "Scenes." They play McCoy Tyner’s "Blues On The Corner" in this segment with dedication, no shuck and jive, straight ahead. You know by listening these guys enjoy playing together. Rick Mandyck and John Stowell acheive a similar saxophone/guitar convergence as did Paul Desmond and Jim Hall in "Take Ten." It makes you think of flying up to Seattle/Tacoma... read more
Thomas Marriott demonstrates one of the most active and strong clear blue trumpet tones in jazz, so overt and apparent on his new "Flexicon" CD, and with Mark Taylor's hard edged saxophone play, Bill Anschell's particulate sound on both acoustic piano and Rhodes, along Jeff Johnson, the best bassist from the Great Northwest and versatile power drummer Matt Jorgensen.
They're terrific, right off the mark, in a tribute to the great Freddie... read more
Since Don Lanphere has been on the jazz scene since the 1940s, one would think that there is no format in which he hasn't performed. This album goes to show that there is always something new on the horizon. And that's the scene for this album, where, for the first time, Lanphere works with a Hammond B3 organ, here in the capable hands of Barney McClure. Also along for this occasion is guitarist Mimi Fox, and when you add Mel Brown on drums, you... read more
Most of the times, when you listen to an album, you compare it to something that you've heard before that might be similar to it. That doesn't work with this album, as it is quite unique in its concept and delivery. Carry on...
An ambitious project by composer and saxist Benjamin Boone is recorded here, as a mix of not only poems, but poets, and not only poets but musicians in various conglomerations juxtapose a both a wide range of... read more
Part of a musical family, guitarist Jaiman Crunk grew up in the San Francisco Bay area, spent years living in Europe, and is now based in Seattle. Encounters is his recording debut and it is a particularly impressive effort for Crunk, both as a guitarist and as a composer.
The personnel and instrumentation change from song-to-song on Encounters. But although many all-stars are scattered throughout the eight selections, the program has a... read more
4-STARS The concept of homecoming is inextricably linked to the music that Dan McCarthy presents on City Abstract. Recorded in May of 2019, shortly after he had returned to his native Toronto after fifteen years in New York, this date finds the vibraphonist bowing to two of his biggest influences: pianist Carla Bley and vibraphonist Gary Burton. Those lodestars provide solid inspiration and clear direction for McCarthy, who works his way... read more
You don't have to be from the Northwest to appreciate this Seattle legend. He played with Fats Navarro and Charlie Parker in the 40's and returned to recording in the 80's. Don had a buttery tone in that mellow zone somewhere between Lester Young and Coleman Hawkins. The only other player who had this kind of sound was Bud Johnson - like melting amber, warm honey. Lanphere mixes master technical craftsmanship with the taste and wisdom of an... read more
A fixture at the annual Port Townsend Jazz Festival the last weekend in July, Seattle-based Thomas Marriott leads an outstanding band of Emerald City contemporaries on this collection of standards, seldom-played gems by Freddie Hubbard and Chick Corea, a stunning reading of Ellington's New World A Comin', Marriott original, and a seductive reinvention of The Breeze and I.
Marriott is a brilliant player with chops to spare on... read more
This is just a small collection of the Origin Records reviews. Click here to view all reviews or try to Search for your favorite CD title.
Abate Berihun & The Addis Ken Project - Addis Ken
by Hanna Kay, Cult News (Paris)
Abate Berihun & The Addis Ken Project - Addis Ken
by Budapest, Rudolf Radnai
Abate Berihun & The Addis Ken Project - Addis Ken
by Editor, Bman's Blues Report
Jared Hall - Hometown
by Editor, Bman's Blues Report
Dawn Clement - Dear Ms. Dearie
by Editor, Bman's Blues Report
Jared Hall - Hometown
by Dee Dee McNeil, Making A Scene
Affinity Trio - New Outlook
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
Michael Dease Big Band - Return Trajectory
by Thierry De Clemensat, Paris Move
Brad Goode Quintet Feat. Ernie Watts - Live Your Dream: Live at North Street Cabaret
by Thierry De Clemensat, Paris Move
Maja Jaku - Blessed & Bewitched
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect